A fire today broke out in godown belonging to a post officeRead More26/02/2017

Sources Confirmed Allowance Committee Report Submitted

One of the NJCA leader, On Condition of Anonymity, told that the committee constituted to examine the allowance has finalised its reports and submitted it to the Government on 22nd February 2017.

On asking whether the NJCA knew the details of the committee report, he said that they were not provided with the committee report. But the committee has informed them that their demand on allowance would be considered favourably.

Hence it is expected the HRA will be retained in old rates (Sixth CPC rates) from the beginning itself and will be paid in 7th CPC Pay Scale when revised allowances come into effect. However, the news of revised allowances would be implemented with effect from 1.4.2017 is not reliable. NJCA will not accept this and clearly said that it should be implemented with effect from 1.1.2016 retrospectively.

X cities- 30%

Y cities- 20%

Z cities- 10%

Transport Allowance may be split into two elements as CCA and TA as it was paid in fifth CPC. The Rates will be delinked from DA and will Be Fixed in slab rates.

The Government will announce its decision over the committee report after the last phase of state elections ie after 8th March 2017.

Dhanushkodi ( Rameswaram) gets back its Post office after 52 years - Read More

Applications are invited for Teacher Eligibility Test, Paper I and Paper II for the year 2017 .

Applications are invited for Teacher Eligibility Test, Paper I and Paper II for the year 2017 from the eligible candidates in Tamil Nadu. One of the essential qualifications for a person to be eligible for appointment as a teacher in any of the schools referred to clause (n) of section 2 of the RTE Act is that he/she should pass the Teacher Eligibility Test (TET) which will be conducted by the appropriate Government.

The State Government has designated the Teachers Recruitment Board as the Nodal Agency for conducting Teacher Eligibility Test and recruitment of Teachers as per G.O. (Ms) No. 181, School Education (C2) Department, Dated 15.11.2011.1. Schedule of Dates:

Sale of Application 06.03.2017 to 22.03.2017 9 am to 5 pm Last Date for Receipt of Application Form 23.03.2017 by 5 pm Written Examination:Paper I Paper II 29.04.2017 30.04.2017 10 am to 1 pm 10 am to 1 pm

Candidates should possess the following prescribed qualifications to write the Teacher Eligibility Test Paper I.

a. Candidates who have passed Higher Secondary Course (10+2 Pattern) and Diploma in Teacher Education / Diploma in Elementary Education (Regarding the Candidates who have passed D.T.Ed., from States other than Tamil Nadu, their certificate should be evaluated before Certificate Verification) from a Recognized Teacher Training Institute / DIET and seeking an appointment as Secondary Grade Teacher for classes I to V (except Visually Impaired Candidates) can write Paper I.

b. Candidates appearing for the Final Year Examination of D.E.Ed. during the current Academic Year (2016–2017) are also permitted to appear for Paper I in the Teacher Eligibility Test. Such Candidates should successfully complete the course in the current Academic Year (2016-2017) itself and should produce D.E.Ed., Certificate during Certificate Verification; otherwise they shall not be considered for the current year Government recruitment process. However they will be issued with TET certificate after producing D.E.Ed., Diploma Certificate.

c. Visually impaired candidates are not eligible to write Paper I.

3. Eligibility to Write TET Paper II:

Candidates should possess the following prescribed qualifications to write the Teacher Eligibility Test Paper II:

a. Candidates who have passed a Bachelor’s Degree (B.A. /B.Sc. / B.Litt.) with Tamil, English, Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Botany, Zoology, History and Geography as major subjects in their Degree course or a Degree with any one of the equivalent subjects (Regarding equivalent subjects, Government orders issued prior to the date of this notification alone will be considered) from a Recognized University under 10+2+3 Pattern and a Bachelor’s Degree in Education (B.Ed.) from a Recognized University and seeking an appointment as Graduate Teacher can write Paper II. The candidates with B.Lit., (Tamil) degree should possess either B.Ed. or D.T.Ed. or TPT.

b. Candidates appearing for the Final Year Examination of B.Ed. during the current Academic Year (2016 – 2017) are also permitted to appear for Paper II in Teacher Eligibility Test. Such Candidates should successfully complete the course in the current Academic Year (2016-2017) itself and should produce B.Ed., Certificate during Certificate Verification; otherwise they shall not be considered for the current year Government recruitment process. However, they will be issued with a TET certificate after producing B.Ed., Degree Certificate.

Note: For further details refer Prospectus and TRB’s official website www.trb.tn.nic.in

CHAIRMAN

Authority: http://trb.tn.nic.in/

TEACHERS ELIGIBILITY TEST NOTIFICATION - 2017

TEACHER ELIGIBILITY TEST SYLLABUS

Syllabus for Paper I

Syllabus for Paper II

Action Taken Statement of Standing Committee and National Anomaly Committee after 6th CPC

F.No. 11/1/20156-JCAGovernment of IndiaMinistry of Personnel, Public Grievances and PensionsDepartment of Personnel & Training

North Block, New DelhiDated the 21st February, 2017

Subject:- 1. Standing Committee meeting held on 25.10.2016- ATS reg.2. ATS in respect of NAC meetings held after 6th CPC

Sir,1. I am directed to refer to the discussion held in the Standing Committee meeting on 25.10.2016 under the Chairmanship of Secretary(P) in DOPT, and to send herewith a copy of an Action Taken Statement (ATS) in respect of 19 items on which discussion was held in that meeting. The information in respect of the other items also discussed in the same meeting will be sent upon receipt of the ATS from other Ministries/Departments which is still awaited.

2.Additionally, as discussed in the same meeting, a copy of the ATS on the itemsdiscussed in the first 4 meetings of the National Anomaly Committee (NAC) during the 6kh CPC regime, and as circulated with the O.M. no. 11/1/2015-JCA dated 19.06.2015 is also being sent herewith once again for your perusal.

As regards the ATS of the two NAC meeting held on 29.05.2015 and 09.06.2015 they are being Seperately.

3.Holding the next meeting of the Standing Committee is also under consideration.It is, therefore, requested that new agenda items which the Staff-Side consider for discussion in the next meeting may be sent to the DOPT urgently.

Yours faithfully,

(D.K.Sengupta)Deputy Secretary(JCA)Admissibility of Deputation (Duty) Allowance while on deputation.As per Para 8.3.2 of the O.M. dated 17th June 2010, i.e. only up to the fifth year

DOPT ORDERNo. 2/6/2016-Estt.(Pay-II)Government of IndiaMinistry of Personnel, Public Grievances and PensionsDepartment of Personnel and TrainingNorth Block, New DelhiDated: 23rd February 2017OFFICE MEMORANDUMSubject: Admissibility of Deputation (Duty) Allowance while on deputation – regarding.

The undersigned is directed to refer to this Department’s O.M. of even number dated 17th February 2016 vide which powers were delegated to Ministries / Departments / borrowing organisations to extend deputation tenures up to a period not exceeding 7 years at a stretch, in respect of cases covered by the O.M. dated 17th June 2010.2. The matter regarding the admissibility of Deputation (Duty) Allowance in view of the change in maximum number of years of deputation tenure as provided above has been examined in this Department.3. As per Para 8.3.2 of the OM No. 6/8/2009-Estt.(Pay-II) dated 17th June 2010, where the extension is granted up to the fifth year, the official concerned will continue to be allowed Deputation (Duty) Allowance, if he/she has opted to draw deputation (duty) allowance.4. This Department’s O.M. No. 2/6/2016-Estt.(Pay-II) dated 17th February 2016 delegates powers to Ministries / Departments / borrowing organisations, to extend deputation tenures up to a period of 7 years in a stretch, in respect of cases covered by the O.M. dated 17th June 2010. However, there has been no modification of the Para 8.3.2. of the O.M. dated 17th June 2010 by the O.M. dated 17th February 2016. The new O.M. dated 17th February 2016 provides vide Para 4 that all other terms and conditions issued vide OM No. 6/8/2009-Estt.(Pay-II) dated 17th June 2010 will remain unchanged.5. Thus, admissibility of Deputation (Duty) Allowance would be only as per Para 8.3.2 of the O.M. dated 17th June 2010, i.e. only up to the fifth year, if the deputationist has opted to draw Deputation (Duty) Allowance.(A.K. Jain)Deputy Secretary to the Government of India

The Committee on Allowances, headed by Finance Secretary Ashok Lavasa, was given time till February 22 to present its report.

It has been nearly eight months since the Narendra Modi government cleared the recommendations of the Seventh Pay Commission.

After a long wait, the Committee on Allowances is likely to submit its report to Finance Minister Arun Jaitley on Monday.

The committee, headed by Finance Secretary Ashok Lavasa, was given time till February 22 to table its report.

The revised allowances are likely to be effective from April 1.The house rent allowance (HRA), which forms a crucial part of government employees' salary, is expected to be fixed at 30 per cent of the basic pay for employees in metros which have a population of 50 lakh and above.

Source:www.staffnews

Minutes of the meeting of the Sub-Committee-III to suggest measures for streamlining implementation of the National Pension System with employees’ Associations held on 10.02.2017 at Lok Nayak Bhawan, New Delhi

No.57/1/2016-P&PW (B)

Government Of India

Ministry Of Personnel, P.G.and Pensions

Department of Pension & Pensioners Welfare

3rd Floor, Lok Nayak Bhavan

New Delhi, dated the 16th February, 2017

OFFICE MEMORANDUM

Subject: Minutes of the meeting of the sub-committee III to suggest measures for streamlining implementation of the National Pension System (NPS) held on 10.02.2017-reg.

The minutes of the meeting of the Sub-Committee-III to suggest measures for streamlining implementation of the National Pension System (NPS) held under the chairmanship of Additional Secretary (Pension) with Staff side of JCM on 10.02.2017 at Lok Nayak Bhawan, New Delhi is hereby forwarded for information and further necessary action.

(S.Chakrabarti)

Under Secretary to the Government of India

Minutes of the meeting of the Sub-Committee-III to suggest measures for streamlining implementation of the National Pension System with employees’ Associations held on 10.02.2017 at Lok Nayak Bhawan, New Delhi

A meeting of the Sub-Committee-III to suggest measures for streamlining the implementation of the National Pension System (NPS) was held under the Chairmanship of Ms. Vandana Sharma, Additional Secretary (Pension) with Staff Side of JCM on 10.02.2017 at 3.00 p.m.,at Lok Nayak Bhawan, New Delhi. The following were present:

2. Additional Secretary (Pension) welcomed all the participants and briefed the Staff Side of JCM about the various issues allocated to the Sub-Committee-III. She invited suggestions from the participants on these issues.

3. The Staff Side handed over a communication dated 10.2.2017 containing their views on the various issues allocated to the Sub Committees. The Staff Side agreed that there is an urgent need to frame rules on the service matters of the NPS employees. Additional Secretary (Pension) assured the staff side that their views would be duly considered while framing rules in this regard.

4. Staff Side of the JCM emphasized that the Government employees should be excluded from the purview of NPS. In case, it was not possible to exempt the Government employees from the NPS, a minimum pension @ 50% of the last pay drawn or average emoluments of the last 10 months, whichever is more beneficial to the employees (along with dearness relief) may be ensured to all NPS employees on their retirement.

5. The Staff side was informed that in the event of invalidation / disability or death of the NPS employee, Pension / Family Pension as per the rates applicable under CCS (Pension) Rules is available to the NPS employees / their families. As regards the minimum guaranteed pension on retirement of the NPS employees, the views of the Staff Side of JCM would be conveyed to the Committee set up for streamlining implementation of the National Pension System.

6.The meeting ended with a vote of thanks to the chair.

You Can Apply For Passports At Select Post Offices From March.

NEW DELHI -- From next month, people in select cities will be able to apply for passports in post offices under an ambitious initiative of the External Affairs Ministry.

This is aimed at making the passport issuance process hassle-free and ease burden on passport offices across the country which are grappling with large volume of applications.

In the first phase of the project, passport services will be made available in select post offices in Rajasthan, West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and Jharkhand and some other states.

The External Affairs Ministry, which issues passports, is making all required arrangements for roll-out of the scheme in some of the select cities in first half of March.Currently, 89 Passport Seva Kendras (PSK) are operating across the country as extended arms of the 38 Passport Offices.

According to the MEA, the government rendered 1.15 crore passport and other related services during 2016.

In Rajasthan, passport services will be available in Kota, Jaisalmer, Bikaner, Jhunjhunu and Jhalawar while in West Bengal it will be in Asansol, Nadia, North Dinajpur North Kolkata.

In Jharkhand, services will be offered in Deoghar, Jamshedpur and Dhandbad."It is our effort that Post Office Passport Sewa Kendras announced in the first phase should start functioning before 31.3.2017," External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj tweeted.

In Tamil Nadu, passport services in post office will be rolled out in Salem and Vellore while in Karnataka, it will be in Belgaum, Davangere, Hassan, Gulbarga and Mysuru.

According to MEA, the objective of the government has been to cater to the demand for passports and to reach out to the people located far away from the passport offices.

The MEA had recently liberalised norms for certain categories of citizens as part of efforts to streamline the passport issuance process.

sourcewww.huffingtonpost.in/

19/02/2017

Post offices to issue life certificates to pensioners

Post offices in Telangana will now aid pensioners avail life
certificates and the unemployed find jobs through tie-ups with the
Ministry of Labour.
Union Minister of State for Labour Bandaru
Dattatreya launched these initiatives in the presence of administrators
from the Postal Department here on Sunday.
The schemes are being launched at 36 head offices on a pilot basis before they can be extended to 720 sub-offices in the State.
To
provide Jeevan Praman Patra, a life certificate that Employees’
Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) pensioners have to produce every year
to ensure continuation of their pension disbursals, the post offices
are an addition to the existing avenues where this document can be
submitted to a central repository and also obtained. Upon obtaining the
certificate, pensioners can avail pension from the disbursing centres.
“Through
transparent and digital processes, it is possible to weed out
corruption in the country,” Mr. Dattatreya said, launching the
programme.
Five pensioners were given their life certificates during the programme.
The move was expected to benefit nearly 90,000 EPFO pensioners in Hyderabad alone.
For
the unemployed, post offices will serve as enrolment centres for the
National Career Service (NCS). Registrants will have to provide identity
details for enrolment in the database of prospective employees, which
is shared with employers in the country.

“We
hope to create employment for five crore youth by 2020 through schemes
like the NCS,” the Union Minister said, adding that the Centre was
planning to organise job fairs from next month.

Secretary,
Department of Post, B.V. Sudhakar; Chief Postmaster General Brigadier B.
Chandrashekar, Postmaster General for Hyderabad P.V.S Reddy, and BJP
MLAs Kishan Reddy and Raja Singh were also present on the occasion
Source The Hindu

RE-CONSIDERATION OF BCR PROMOTION ON PAR WITH JUNIORS BY THE DIRECTORATE AS PER THE HONORABLE SUPREME COURT'S ORDER.

18/02/2017

16th March 2017 strike is inevitable.

We are forced to go on a day's strike on 16thMarch 2017 due to the inaction of the Government. Seven months have lapsed still the committee has not submitted any report.A group of ministers comprising Home Minister Shri.Raj Nath Singh, Finance Minister Shri. Arun Jaitley & Railway Minister Shri. Suresh Prabhu called NJCA leaders on 30/06/2016 and assured that a high power committee will be constituted to look into the matter regarding revision of wages and fitment formula. Based on the assurance, the JCM Constituent deferred the Strike action to 06th July 2016.Though our Federation appealed PJCA to continue the strike as decided on July 11 2016, it was not considered in the larger interest of Central Government employees unity.As assured a Committee was constituted under the chairmanship of Addl. Secretary (Exp), Ministry of Finance and discussions held, the response was very much disappointing. Against this we conducted a protest week from 12th December to 19th December 2016 and submitted a memorandum to our Honourable Prime Minister through state Governors as well as in his office, there is no response till date.

On 19/01/2017A meeting was held with the Cabinet Secretary, Government of India, wherein Staff side secretary and the president were present.

The staff side explained Cabinet secretary about various Issues of the Central Government Employees pending at the Government level. The main issues were NPS, Minimum Wage and Fitment Formula, Allowances, Pension and enhancing Benchmark from good to Very Good. The Cabinet Secretary informed staff side that, Pension issues have already been referred to the Cabinet, and the report of the Committee on Allowances is likely to be submitted in the next month. It is not certain whether there will be any revision in minimum wage and Fitment formula & arrears of allowances from 01/01/2016.Meanwhile, on 10.02.2017 NPS committee has called the JCM Staff Side for a second round of discussion, during the discussion they want to discuss only notified agenda, such as (1) scrapping of NPS (2) Guaranteed Minimum pension to NPS Pensioners ie; 50% of the last pay drawn should be guaranteed by the Government as minimum pension, even if the returns from annuity insurance scheme amount is less than 50%.Unfortunately, the main demand of Exemption of Central Govt. Employees from the purview of NPS, was not included in the agenda.With regard to GDS, our Federation and NUGDS warmly welcome the welfare measures which were recommended by Sri.Kamalesh Chandra committee. At the same time, our Federation strongly oppose the non‘Removal of 3 -A (I) of GDS Conduct & Engagement Rules, 2011.Regarding Casual Labours, the revised wages and its arrears have not been paid in many Circles. In view of the above, we cannot remain silent just conducting a protest week and Dharna. As we have to show a strong protest against the attitude of the Government, the FNPO affiliates decided to go on a day`s strike on March 16th, 2017. We appeal all our colleagues to organise the one-day strike and make it a thunderingsuccess.

Allowances Committee may submit its report on 20th February 2017

Federation Leaders associated with National Council JCM are keep telling that Allowance Committee might submit its report on 20th February 2017. The CG Staff are already very much upset over the Government’s deliberate attempt to delay the payment of Allowances by constituting many committees. Because the payment of revised Allowances is considered will impact the Governments Exchequers.Lot of Committees formed and Meetings held after the Notification issued for implementation of 7th CPC Recommendations. But there is no any fruitful outcome from these meetings. No sign of making decisions which satisfy the Central government employees.

Had the Allowance like HRA is paid in revised rates from the date of Notification ie 25th July 2016, it seems more beneficial than waiting for the subcommittee reports. Because if revised allowances are not given retrospective effect, it will be a huge loss for Central Government Servants.Reports suggests that the Allowance Committee may submit its report on 20th February 2017 and it will be notified with effect from 1st April 2017. Federation sources told that It is unacceptable and we will fight it out until the revised allowances implemented with effect from 1.1.2016

Handling Court cases on the issue of applicability of CCS (Pension) Rules instead of NPS in respect of GDS appointed to regular departmental posts after 01-01-2004

No.99-7/2017-PensionGovernment Of IndiaDepartment of Posts(Pension Section)

Dak Bhawan, Sansad Marg,New Delhi – 110 0011st February, 2017

To

All Head(S) of Circles

Sub: Handling Court cases on the issue of applicability of CCS (Pension) Rules instead of NPS in respect of GDS appointed to regular departmental posts after 01-01-2004-reg.

Sir/Madam,

It has come tto notice that officials, who have been appointed on regular basis after 01-01-2004 under New Pension Schemes have filed OAs before Tribunals praying to cover their case under CCS (Pension) Rules, 1972 by treating them as old entrants. These cases are required to be defended in Court vigilantly from preliminary stages since any adverse directions of any court would cause harm to the interest of the Department.

2. It is therefore considered appropriate to provide some of arguments/ observations, which can be uniformly placed before court for a rational decision of the Court in any case on the issue. If any Tribunal has already given decision for applying CCS (Pension) Rule only on the consideration of GDS service performed prior to the cut off date, appropriate appeal may invariably be filed without any further delay. The grounds should include:

(a) The GDSs are holders of civil posts but are not regular Government Servants. They are a separate cadre, outside the Government service, existing only in the Department of Posts and formed with the primary objective of providing postal services in the remote villages of the county. They become departmental employee from the date of their regular appointment. The Apex Court has established their status as civil posts outside the regular civil services in the case of UOI P.K. Rajamma in 1977.

(b) Extra Departmental Agents (now called Gramin Dak Sevaks) were specifically excluded from the application of CCS (CCA) Rules, 1957 (now 1965) vide MHA Notification No.SRO 609 dated 28-02-1957 at Serial (i) of the list. With this exclusion, this category stands excluded from the purview of term ‘Central Civil Service’ and ‘Central Civil Post’ defined under Rule 2 (c) and that of ‘Government Servant’ defined under Rule 2(h)(i) of the said rules. Thus, holding of civil post outside the regular civil service ipso facto means that Gramin Dak Sevaks are a separate and distinct category confined to Department of Posts as holders of civil post outside the regular civil service; which does not fall under ‘Central Civil Service’ or ‘Central civil Post’ of ‘Government Servant.’ This is also supported by the fact that the Government has not included this category in any of the classification of Group A or B or C or D posts resultant to such exclusion. Further, terms and conditions of their engagement laid down in Rule 3-A (v) of GDS (conduct and Engagement) Rules do specify clearly that a Sevak shall be outside the civil service of the Union.

(c) Gramin Dak Sevaks (GDSs) (earlier known as Extra Departmental Agents (EDAs)) are exclusive to the Department of Posts and the Sevaks so engaged are not required to perform duty beyond a maximum period of 5 hours in a day. GDS post is purely part time job with working hours ranging from 3 to 5 hours and it is obligatory for the person to give an undertaking that he/she has adequate source of livelihood for himself/herself and family. Normally, the Central Government Employees are eligible to serve the Government up to 60 years whereas GDSs are retained up to 65 years of age.

(d) Right from the formation of the system of GDS, appointment of GDS to Group D (regular post) is treated as direct recruitment and not as a promotion. This is because, promotion exists only from like cadres and GDS being outside the Government service cannot form a feederr cadre as far as postman and other cadres are concerned. In a catena of judgments, courts have observed that appointment as postman/GrD/MTS from EDA cannott be termed as promotion as the post of postman/GrD/MTS etc and EDA belong to two different services viz regular postal services and Extra Departmental Service. The judgements of Full bench of Ernakulam Bench of CAT in case of M.A.Mohanan Vs St SPO & Ors may be referred to. Further, CAT Madras in OA No.785 of 2011 dated 28.04.2014 observed that the terms and condition of their employment (of GDSs) are not comparable to that of regulaar employees of the postal department or of any other department for that matter. In OA No.170/01651/2015 filed by Y.S.Manjunatha, CAT, Bangalore bench has observed that engagement of GDS is not a regular government service and the service rendered as GDS cannot be counted as regular government service to bring a person under old pension scheme.

(e) In a recent judgement in CA Nos 90/2015 and 91/2015 dated 12.8.2016, Hon’ble Supreme Court by referring the decisions of Apex Court in C.C.Padmanabhan & Ors Vs Director of Public Instructions & Ors, Union of India Vs Kameshwar Prasad and the Superintendent of Post Offices & Ors Vs P.K.Rajamma, held that EDAs/GDSs are not in regular service of the postal Department. The Apex Court concluded in the case that selection of EDA or GDS to the post of postman under relevant column of Recruitment Rules is only by way of ‘Direct Recruitment’ and not by way of ‘Promotion’. Copy of judgement has already been circulated to all circles by Staff branch vide theier letterr No.2-18/2016-SPB-I dated 25.11.2016.

(f) Gramin Dak Sevaks are eligible to be considered for the posts of MTS or Postman in conformity with statutory recruitment rules governing these posts. The Department of Posts MTS Recruitment Rule also clarifies that Gramin Dak Sewaks are holders of Civil Posts, but they are outside the regular civil service due to which their appointment will be by direct recruitment even when selecttion is on basis of selection-cum-seniority. It also prescribes that on failing recruitment from Gramin Dak Sewaks, the earmarked vacancies will be filled up by direct recruitment from open market. Similar provisions are in the postman and Mail Guard Recruitment Rules. Therefore, the GDS service would have no consideration towards regular service and their appointment in regular service could be only criterion forr determining their placement in CCS (Pension) Rules/NPS. The GDS cannot said to be feederr cadre for postman/Group D in view of provisions of the Recruitment Rules.

(g) The provisions under Rule 13 of CCS (Pension) Rule, 1972 are also relevant. It mentions that qualifying service of a Government Servant shall commence from date he takes charge of the post to which is first appointed either substantively or in an officiating or temporary capacity provided that officiating or temporary service is followed without interruption by substantive appointment. Since such applicants were holding a non-governmental post on 01.01.2004 and they were appointed to a Departmental Post after the cut-off date, as per Government decision, NPS will be applicable in all such cases.

(h) Rule 14(1) of CCS (Pension) Rules, 1972 mentions that ‘Service’ of a Government servant shall not qualify unless his duties and pay are regulated by the Government, or under conditions determined by the Government. Under Rule 14 (2) further provides that ‘forr the purposes of sub rule (1), the expression ‘Service’ means service under the Government and paid by that Government from consolidated fund of India or a local fund administered by that Government but does not include service in a non-pensionable establishment unless such service is treated as qualifying service by that Government. Extra Departmental Agents are provided to be specifically excluded fromt he application of pension under the GDS rules and the Government has also not provided counting of a part of the service rendered by them in the capacity of EDA/GDS on absorption to regular departmental posts.

(i) It is also added that in CA No.13675-13676/2015 in UOI & Others Vss the Registrar & Ors, Hon’ble Supreme Court, considering the rules governing GDS and the fact that GDS employees do not come under the category of full time casual employee, has held that the directions to the Department for formulation of scheme for giving some weightage to GDS service to make good the shortfall in minimum qualifying service of 10 years in regular employment, ought not to have been passed by the learned Tribunal and approved by the High court. The Apex court further observed that the matter pertains to policy and involves financial implications.

3. It is re-iterated that immediate action may be taken in all cases on the issue and it should be ensured that the Court may be apprised of the above facts. The Directorate may be kept informed of the development/progress in each case on the issue. It has been observed in the past that Department has lost many cases due to delayed action. Therefore, it should be ensure that appropriate action should be taken within prescribed timeline.

To
All the Pensioners Associations included in the SCOVA vide Resolution dated 25.08.2015

Subject:- 29th SCOVA meeting under the chairmanship of Hon’ble MOS(PP) – Minutes of the meeting

Please find enclosed herewith minutes of the 29th meeting of Standing Committee of Voluntary Agencies(SCOVA) held under the chairmanship of Hon’ble MOS(PP) on 12.01.2017 for your kind perusal and necessary action. The minutes of the meeting are also available on this Department’s website vvww.pensionersportal.gov.in.

(Sujasha Choudhury)
Director(P)

Minutes of the 29th Meeting of Standing Committee of Voluntary Agencies(SCOVA) held on 12.01.2017 under the Chairmanship of Hon’ble MOS(PP) at Vigyan Bhawan Annexe, New Delhi.

The 29th meeting of Standing Committee of Voluntary Agencies (SCOVA) was held under the chairmanship of Hon’ble MOS(PP) on 12.01.2017.

The list of the participants is at Annexure-1

At the outset, Secretary (P&PW) welcomed the representatives of Pensioners Associations and the participating officers from various Ministries/Departments.

Secretary (P&PAL),- said that some issues of the last SCOVA meeting have been Two review meetings were held with Defence Pensioners Associations, SCOVA and Ministry of Defence on 27.09.2016 and 20.12.2016 to resolve issues relating to Defence pensioners pending in SCOVA for a long time.

He said that this Department has implemented Government’s decision on the recommendations of the 7th CPC for revision of pre-2016 pensioners/family pensioners There is no change in the pension fixation formula for those retired/retiring on or after 01.01.2016. The minimum pension has been increased to Rs. 9000/- per month against the existing Rs. 3500/- per month. The ceiling of gratuity has been increased from existing Rs. 10 lakhs to 20 lakhs per month. The rates of ex-gratia lump sum compensation being paid to the families of employees who die in performance of duty has been increased from existing Rs. 10-15 lakh to Rs. 25-35 lakh, depending upon the circumstances in which the death occurs. He further stated that approximately 85% percent grievances have been disposed of by this Department.

Thereafter, the Action Taken Report on the decisions of the 28th SCOVA meeting and Fresh Agenda Items of the 29th SCOVA meeting were taken up for discussion.

Discussion on ATR of 28th SCOVA meeting:- Revision of PPOs of pre-2006 pensioners.

CPAO intimated that the issue of revision of the remaining 3200 PPOs for pre-2006 pensioners has been reviewed with banks. The main reason for pendency is non-availability of records. CPAO would prepare fresh list of live pending cases on the basis on e-scrolls which would be provided to the concerned Ministries/Departments to review the pendency. The Ministries/Departments have been asked to give certificates of non-availability of records. The banks have also been asked to do KYC when the pensioners visit them for life cert.–Mc–ate. CPAO also informed that they have not received any grievances in respect of non-revision of these particular PPOs

Since CPAO has expressed reservation about the pending cases, it was decided that CPAO would examine these cases under Audit and treat the pendency as NIL, subject to outcome of Audit.

Ministry of Defence intimated that 2368 (2470) PPOs of Air Force pensioners have been revised. Some discrepancies have been noted which will be resolved within a week. CGDA was requested that the list of cases be shared with the Directorate of Air Veterans (DAV) and with the Air Force Association, New Delhi. DAV would tally the list with their records and revert back with the list of pending cases. On the issue of PPOs of Ordnance Factory, Ambarnath, CGDA committed that the pendency will be disposed of by first week of February, 2017.

It was decided that DoPPW will hold a tripartite meeting with Department of Ex-servicemen Welfare, Directorate of Air Veterans and Defence Pensioners Associations of SCOVA.

Department of Telecom reported that one of the reasons for pendency of 203 cases was that the Maharashtra Circle did not have relevant records. The Department was asked to dispose of the pendency within a week.

It was said that the actual revision of pension had been carried out for all cases, the review was only with reference to issue of revision authorities. The revision authorities would be pending only for those pensioners/family pensioners who are not traceable. Therefore, the matter was decided to be closed. The Ministries/Departments would continue their efforts to attend to specific grievances to trace old records and issue revision authorities at the earliest.

(ii) Health Insurance Scheme for pensioners including those residing in Non-CGHS area.

Ministry of Health informed that the final EFC Memo is under submission to the Secretary. The proposal covers Central Government civil employees and pensioners only and that too for indoor treatment. OPD and appliancyould not be covered under the proposed scheme.

Disabled War Veterans (India) raised the issue of covering prosthesis under this scheme and stated that this will facilitate rehabilitation. The Hon’ble MOS(PP) observed that the prosthesis of good quality are now available. It was decided that Secretary (P&PW) will have a meeting with the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities and Ministry of Health and Family Welfare to discuss the question of covering prosthesis for Civil Government employees/pensioners under CGHS/Medical Insurance.

(Action :- Ministry of Health and DoPPW)

(iii) Special “Higher” Family Pension for widows of the war disabled invalided out of service.

Ministry of Defence has stated that the comments of Service Headquarters on the issue have been sought vide MOD ID Note dated 10.10.2016 which are still awaited.

The Disabled War_Veterans (India) Association, stated that the cases would cover Army personnel mostly and not Navy and Air Force personnel. Department of Ex-servicemen Welfare was requested to arrange a meeting of the concerned Joint Secretary with the Disabled War Veterans(India) to discuss and finalise the issue within a month.

It was decided that Secretary(P&PW) will write to Secretary(ESW) to finalise the issue expeditiously .

The Ministry of-Health and Family Welfare informed that the recommendation of 7th CPC in this regard is under consideration of the “Allowances Committee” set up after 7th CPC. Department of Expenditure was requested to check and confirm whether the issue is actually under the purview of the “Allowances Committee”. DoPPW will independently seek clarification from the Implementation Cell, Department of Expenditure

(Action:- Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Department of Expenditure and DoPPW)

Anomaly in fixation of pension of DoT employees absorbed in BSNL retired 10.2000 and 31.07.2001.

Department of Telecom informed that, as desired by the Department of Expenditure, financial implications on—the formula suggested by DoPPW was being worked out in consultation with BSNL. Meanwhile, CAT Principal Bench has allowed a petition filed by the BSNL absorbee pensioners for fixing their pension only on the basis of IDA pay drawn after absorption in BSNL. Department of Telecom was requested to examine the judgement of CAT.Action:- Department of Telecom)

Department of Telecom informed that consequent on approval of the Cabinet, the necessary instructions were issued to the concerned CCAs vide OM dated 18.07.2016. Therefore, the matter was closed.

Extension of benefit of upgraded Grade Pay to pre-2006 retirees of S-12 grade (issue of grant of grade pay of Rs. 4600/- instead of Rs. 4200/-)

Department of Expenditure has observed that the upgraded Grade Pay of Rs. 4600/-was given subsequently outside the recommendation of the 6th CPC. Since this up-gradation is post 6th CPC decision, it is not applicable to those who are holding the pre-revised scale of Rs. 6500-10,500/- and retired before 01.01.2006. Department of Telecom informed that the benefit of Grade pay of Rs. 4600/- to pre-2006 pensioners in pre-revised pay scale of Rs. 6500-10,500/- is sub-judice.

(Action:- Department of Telecom and Department of Expenditure)

Issues relating to CGHS Wellness Centre, Dehradun- Merger of Survey of India Dispensary in CGHS on the same lines as P&T.

Ministry of Health and Family Welfare informed that the 0/o Surveyor General of India has conveyed that Survey of India dispensaries were established as per the obligations under Factories Act. Therefore, their merger with CGHS on the same lines as in the case of P&T dispensaries is not possible.

Ministry of Health and Family Welfare was requested to examine as to how the provisions of the Act come in the way of merger of these dispensaries with CGHS, particularly when the doctors in these dispensaries are also provided by Ministry of Health under CGHS. Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has stated that they have taken a decision to post 2 more contractual doctors in the CGHS Wellness Centre, Dehradun. Ministry of Health and Family Welfare was requested to post doctors expeditiously.

(Action:- Ministry of Health and Family Welfare)

(x) Stoppage of Recovery of wrongful/excess payments from Railways Pensioners.

Ministry of Railways informed that the matter regarding waiver of recovery and withdrawal of the petition filed in the Court was submitted for the approval of Railway Board and a decision was likely to be taken in 3-4 days. The item was closed.

Delay in commencement of family pension to spouse on death of pensioners .

CPAO intimated that the relevant instructions have been issued on 02.06.2016 . 12 Banks have reported timely commencement of family pension. However, CPAO will revert to the banks based on the reports of the e-scrolls. Also internal audit of the banks at CPPCs are conducted to check the delay. Secretary(P&PW) directed to circulate the copies of instruction issued by CPAO. CPAO will send a report on the delayed cases within a month and DoPPW will take up the issue with the Department of Financial Services.

(Action:- CPAO, DoPPW and Department of Financial Services)

Payment of (i) Restoration of commutation amount and (ii) Additional Pension on attaining the age of 80 years should be streamlined by the Banks.

CPAO intimated that the relevant instructions have been issued on 02.06.2016 . Secretary(P&PW) directed to circulated the copies of instruction issued by CPAO. CPAO will send a detailed report on the delayed cases within a month and DoPPW will take up the issue with the Department of Financial Services based on the report received from CPAO.

(Action:- CPAO, DoPPW and Department of Financial Services)

Discussion on Fresh Atenda Items

(29.1) Item wise details of payment made to be shown in Pass Books of Pensioners.

CPAO intimated that instructions are in place to indicate the break-up of various payments to the pensioners at the time of payment of pension. All heads of CPPCs and Government Accounts Departments of the banks have been instructed to streamline their internal system to enforce the existing guidelines. A “Web responsive Pensioners Service” (WRPS) was launched by CPAO which enables the pensioners/family pensioners to see details of pension like monthly pension, DR, Medical Allowance, DA arrears, Commission/Other arrears, recoveries etc. Secretary (P&PW) directed to send copies of relevant CPAO instructions to the various Pensioners Associations and also to take up the matter with Department of Financial Services.

(Action:- CPAO, DoPPW and Department of Financial Services )

(29.2) Amendment/Revision in notification of Life Certificate.

It was clarified that Digital Life Certificate is an additional facility. CPAO stated that there are 3 options for submission of Life Certificate:-

By presenting himself/herself to the authorised bank officer to record the life certificate

By producing a Life Certificate in the prescribed Proforma signed by any of the person specified in para 15.2 of the Scheme for payment of pensions to Central Government Civil Pensioners by authorised Banks.

Though Aadhar based Biometric Authentication system.

Therefore the item was closed.

(29.3) Additional Pension for recipients of disability pension of age 80 years and above.

Department of Ex-servicemen Welfare(DESW) intimated that the issue is under examination. Secretary(P&PW) asked DESW to expedite the matter.

(Action:- Department of Ex-servicemen Welfare)

(29.4) Upgradation of Polyclinic at Bajaj Nagar, Jaipur.

Ministry of Health and Family Weflare informed that the instructions have been issued to Addl. Director(CGHS), Jaipur to make necessary arrangements for repairing the instruments and machinery lying unused and for procurement of equipment for diagnostic facilities like X Ray, Dental X-Ray, Auto Analysers etc. Ministry of Health and Family Welfare stated that up-gradation of facilities will be completed by 31.03.2017.

(Action:- Ministry of Health and Family Welfare)

(29.5) Setting up of CGHS Wellness Centre at Kochi.

The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare intimated that the proposal regarding opening of CGHS Wellness Centre at Kochi is under active consideration.